Neil Young and Stephen Stills Team Up for Benefit Concert

Next month Neil Young And Stephen Stills will join forces once again to headline the 2024 edition of the “Harvest Moon” benefit. The event, which will take place in Lake Hughes, California on October 5, will feature several artists performing live to help raise funds for the Bridge School and the Painted Turtle Camp. The former is a non-profit organization for children with severe physical and speech disabilities, while the latter was founded by Paul Newman and seeks to provide opportunities for children who are dealing with chronic and life-threatening illnesses.

“This event not only brings together amazing musicians and families, but it also raises vital funds for two organizations committed to changing lives. It’s a day of music, fun, and philanthropy—what could be better?” reads a statement from Painted Turtle Executive Director April Tani (published by Consequence). The festival-like day will also feature family-friendly activities, including face painting, food trucks, and more.

As part of the 2024 edition, organizers have confirmed that Young and Still are the first two names on the bill, with more artists to be announced soon. Describing what fans can expect to see from Young and Stills’ sets, Harvest Moon organizers said: “Throughout the day, Neil Young and Stephen Stills will take the stage for individual sets, joined by other talented artists to be announced. The event will culminate with a sunset performance, creating a magical atmosphere for all attendees.”

It’s not the first time that Young is involved in fundraising for the Bridge School. In the past, he has organized an annual benefit concert for the non-profit organization, which ran from 1986 to 2015. He also played at Harvest Moon in 2019 alongside Father John Misty, Norah Jones and Masanga.

The appearance with Stills comes after the two reunited last year to pay tribute to their late bandmate David Crosby. It was their first appearance on stage together in four years.

April 22, 2023 Young performed with Stills on the occasion of the event “Light Up The Blues” which the latter organizes every year in aid of Autism Speaks. Young performed “From Hank To Hendrix” and “Comes A Time” and “Hart of Gold” alone before being joined by Still and the band Promise Of The Real.

Young’s appearance at the benefit comes after he had to cancel his tour with Crazy Horse. The Canadian singer-songwriter addressed the incident last month, explaining that it was due to an undisclosed illness. “My body was telling me, ‘You’ve got to stop.’ So I listened to my body. Then you get all the legal stuff: ‘You got this, you got that, people bought tickets, they did this, they did that.’ I get it,” he told fans. “What matters to me is the artistry and the music. That’s what matters. That’s what people loved. That’s what people come to see. But if that’s not there, I’m not going. My body told me not to do it.”